by Barry Marcus

Created on: November 13, 2009   Last Updated: December 13, 2011

The main Hanukkah traditions are kindling the Hanukkah flames, foods cooked in oil, the dreidle or spinning top and Hanukkah geld. In addition, it is not unusual to have a Hanukkah party on at least some of the nights of Hanukkah. The party is really aimed at the children, and the children's knowledge of the story of Hanukkah may be tested in a quiz. The religious services have a special insert in each of the three daily services to thank G-d for the miracle of the time.

The Menorah

The oldest and most persevering tradition of Hanukkah is the tradition of kindling the lights of the menorah. Candles are lit for each of the eight nights of the festival. On the first night, one candle is lit, two on the second night and so on. On the eighth night, the menorah is aflame with 8 candles shining their light to the world. The tradition of increasing the lights night by night is to show that with each new day, the miracle became greater.

The kindling of the Hanukkah lights originated from the miracle of the oil. The Maccabees had just won an astounding victory against the Syrian-Greek forces of Antiochus. The Temple had been defiled and was purified to make it fit for use. The Maccabees had planned to rededicate the Temple but found only one container of pure sanctified olive oil to light the menorah. The container was only enough oil to last for one day.

The dedication of the Temple was not delayed and the oil miraculously burned for eight days, enough time for fresh oil to be prepared.

The Hanukkah menorah is usually placed in a doorway or window where the lights can be seen by passersby. This is to publicise the miracle to the world.

As the candles are lit, blessings are recited. Then the song Hanero Halalu - These Candles that we Light - is sung followed by Maoz Tsur that relates the story of Hanukkah and other persecutions that the Jews have survived.

Hanukkah Foods

Food cooked in oil is another tradition based on the miracle of the oil. The foods vary according to the Ashkenazi and Sephardic traditions. Ashkenazim generally eat potato latkes which can be described as a type of potato pancake, and deep-fried donuts.

In addition to foods cooked in oil, dairy products are enjoyed as a tribute to Judith who played a part in the liberation of the Jews from the Syrian-Greek oppressor.

The Dreidle

A game played with a spinning top called a dreidle is played through Hanukkah. The top has four sides that display the first Hebrew letter of the words Nes Gadol Haya Sham (a great miracle happened there). In Israel, the letters reflect that the miracle happened here and Sham becomes Po. The game is sometimes played for treats. Four players put their stake into the kitty and the dreidle is spun by each in turn. If it lands on Nun, the player gets nothing. For the Gimmel, he gets all. For the Hey he gets half and for the Shin a player must put an extra piece into the pot.

Hanukkah Geld

The tradition of Hanukkah geld (money) dates back a few hundred years. The tradition is to give the children money on each night of Hanukkah. In turn, the children are encouraged to give a tenth of their Hanukkah geld to charity or tsedaka.

More recently, with the growing influence of Christmas, Hanukkah gifts have become common in some communities. Hanukkah geld has become chocolate money (useful for the dreidle game). As with Christmas, the gifts may be lavish.

The traditions of Hanukkah have changes with the passing of time. Hanukkah decorations are a new tradition also originating from the influence of Christmas. But the traditions of the menorah and the foods and the blessings are the oldest and most important.

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